BDE2016 Programme announced

The diverse programme of quality dance will present performances from 36 leading and emerging dance companies and artists from all four UK nations. Within the intense four-day platform, 11 performance spaces will host the programme across four venues in Cardiff and Newport. Recognised as a major event within the international dance calendar, BDE is primarily an industry-focused platform for promoters and presenters from the UK, and across the globe.

Wales is delighted to be inviting and hosting up to 375 delegates to support the buying and selling of British dance and to forge new links within the international dance community.

Video trailer edited by Janire Nagera of 4pi productions

Next year’s participants are raising the bar once again. From 15 – 18 March 2016, leading dance companies such as MotionHouse, Hofesh Shechter and Ockham’s Razor will be performing, alongside some of the best Welsh dance from performers such as Eddie Ladd and National Dance Company Wales. There is also strong representation from the independent dance sector with emerging companies starting to make an impact on the scene such as Igor and Moreno,Lost Dog and Robbie Synge.

There will be five performances on public sale at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff and The Riverfront in Newport offering audiences a chance to experience some of the most exciting dance the UK can offer. These include two triple bills in the Donald Gordon theatre with work by Russell Maliphant and Candoco; a double bill from rising stars Aakash Odedra and James Cousins, and riveting dance theatre from both Gary Clarke and Gecko Theatre.All public events will be on sale by the end of the month.

Surrounding this packed programme of work is an extensive trade fair representing up 70 British companies, pitches from an additional 11 artists and companies, such as Shobana Jeyasingh and Jasmin Vardimon and Wales based BalletCymru and artist Simon Whitehead, about their forthcoming productions and ideas. Also the Business of Dance programme for emerging artists and producers in partnership with Dance UK and the British Council.

The four key venues of Chapter, Wales Millennium Centre, National Dance Company Wales’ Dance House and The Riverfront, led by Coreo Cymru, form the Consortium that successfully brought British Dance Edition to Wales, and are promising that it will be a dynamic, diverse and high quality platform that inspires exchange, new partnerships and promotion of British dance on a global level.

Carole Blade from Coreo Cymru said: “From the time we heard that Wales had won the 2016 BDE bid we have been carefully selecting and curating the programme to offer promoters a selection of high quality touring works. It has been a challenge narrowing down to the 36 artists and companies from such a vibrant, eclectic and vast field but we’re certain that, with the quality of dance we’re bringing to Wales, this Edition will leave a lasting legacy for the sector in Wales and the rest of the UK.”

Paul Kaynes, Chief Executive of National Dance Company Wales said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming delegates from across the UK and abroad to see some of the best of British dance in Cardiff. It’ll be an opportunity to showcase to the world the high quality of Welsh venues and dance artists. We are thrilled to have the opportunity of being a part of the British Dance Edition programme to ensure that the work of National Dance Company Wales is seen by the widest range of promoters. We look forward to offering a warm Welsh ‘Croeso’ to everyone who comes.”

Funding is gratefully acknowledged from Arts Council Wales Lottery, Welsh Government’s Major Events Unit, Arts Council England Lottery, Creative Scotland Lottery, with support from The National Dance Network.